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Jkwilson1989 · 05-28-2022, 09:23 PM

Some friends called this afternoon from their seasonal site about 15 miles from us. Wanting us to stop to see their new rig. Dropped in after supper and took the grand tour and we sat down for a beer on their covered deck. A lady in the site across the road stepped out of their 5th wheel carrying some decorations and completely missed the first step. She fell flat on her face on the gravel with her feet still on the stairs. She hadn’t moved when we got to her, but she rolled over and groaned just after we reached her before gathering herself. Seemed she was stunned more than hurt, but she took a heck of a wallop when she hit the ground. Genuinely scary to see it happen and not be able to do a thing.

fcbbob15 · 05-29-2022, 02:53 AM

One of my fears especially when boondocking. Any medical emergency miles from anywhere. Been there and done that.

Crasher · 05-29-2022, 06:51 AM

It can happen so fast. As I get older, I have made it a practice of being extra carful where I step and to have a railing when going up or down steps. Never with something in both hands. The same when driving. Look all directions 3 times before entering a road or turning at an intersection and always scanning my surroundings. I keep reminding myself to expect the unexpected. At 79, the healing process from a fall or accident would not be pleasant.

UTTransplant · 05-29-2022, 06:56 AM

In January 2020, I took a tumble down the steps of my motorhome, just being clumsy and trying to carry something at the same time. Ended up cutting my hand bad (I grabbed at the fenders as I fell), very sore knee and elbow. For a minute or two I just sat stunned, crying a bit. Got to my feet, DH grabbed a wet towel to clean me up some, and we headed to an ER for stitches and some X-rays. I later discovered I had also really messed up shoulder tendons and my rotator cuff and had surgery on that a bit over a year later. Ever since I have been very careful with those steps! My MH doesn’t have standard width or depth steps, and many other RVs don’t either.

mdcamping · 05-29-2022, 07:06 AM

yeah this has happened to us. about 8 yrs ago DW was stepping down the steps at a state campground carrying grocery bags, misplaced her step and fell face first onto the ground. She ended up fracturing her leg. The small positive was the fracture was a clean break so the recovery was relatively quick.

Mike

baraff · 05-29-2022, 07:30 AM

My wife fell off her ebike a couple weeks ago while we were camping. We happened to be on the wildlife loop at Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge and it was a really painful ride back to the campsite. Two weeks later she still has issues walking, a giant goose egg contusion on the back of her calf and a lot a swelling. Ice, ice, and more ice.
Slightly off-topic: A warning about ebikes, most are heavy and are difficult to maneuver at low speed. She was approaching an oncoming cyclist on a narrow path, and moved over and slowed down to let the person pass. She lost control and the bike fell on her leg.
There is a learning curve to ebikes. Just jumping on one and assuming it handles like riding a regular bike is a disaster waiting to happen, especially if you haven't been on a bike in years. Just a heads up!

Badjuju · 05-29-2022, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baraff

My wife fell off her ebike a couple weeks ago....she still has issues walking, a giant goose egg contusion on the back of her calf and a lot a swelling. Ice, ice, and more ice.

Just a caution to make you aware. Be vigilant of "compartment syndrome" with contusion injuries in extremities, especially the leg. If severe, it can lead to amputation. Hope she recovers without incident.

https://www.webmd.com/pain-managemen...ses-treatments

Cumminsfan · 05-29-2022, 09:05 AM

3-4 years ago at an RV show near us a lady fell out of the RV while we were inside checking it out.
She was older (late 60's-early 70's) and fell as she was exiting the RV. It was a 5th wheel so 3 steps up. She pee'd her pants after the fall. Very embarrassing for her.
Several people helped her to sit up and finally get up.
I heard the husband say she's fallen before.

**TonyDi** · 05-29-2022, 09:18 AM

There was a story in Family RVing magazine a few months ago of a person who fell backwards from their MH and hit their head. They were rushed to a hospital. Next day they were declared brain dead. Very tragic story. Hang onto the rails that’s what they’re there for.

twogypsies · 05-29-2022, 12:55 PM

We witnessed 2 bad falls. One time 2 men were standing at the bottom of the RV stairs talking and one wife was coming out of the RV. She missed the step and was 'slightly' overweight. The 2 men saw it coming and tried to catch her. She overwhelmed them and all 3 of them collasped into a giddy episode. No one got hurt.

The 2nd one wasn't so lucky. The guy fell off the roof of his RV and was unconscious. Medics took him away. The wife followed but never returned by the time we left the park so don't know what happened.

Old-Biscuit · 05-29-2022, 01:12 PM

I hope the Lady went to ER/Doctor etc and got checked out
She could have a concussion and complications later

Solo_RV_Guy · 05-29-2022, 01:25 PM

As a mostly solo RVer I *try* to not do things that would injure me and require assistance. So far, so good, but there is no guarantee going forward. I'm considering one of the satellite-based emergency transponders when I resume recreational travels. Yeah, the 'adventurer' equivalent of the "I've fallen and I can't get up" button...

Solo_RV_Guy · 05-29-2022, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

I hope the Lady went to ER/Doctor etc and got checked out
She could have a concussion and complications later

+1,

, etc. I hope she was examined by a medical professional.

Lots of things can go wrong from what appear to be otherwise simple injuries and the list gets longer with age.

Broken hips are a 'gateway injury' - the gate is to the undertaker.

My observation is that after about age 40 we loose the something (the biochemistry?) that enables growth and healing and that loss is progressive. The longer we're alive the longer it takes to heal and recover from injuries and illnesses. We're a quart low of whatever internal elixir enables that work.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to shout at some passing clouds and yell at the kids on my lawn.

baraff · 05-29-2022, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badjuju

Just a caution to make you aware. Be vigilant of "compartment syndrome" with contusion injuries in extremities, especially the leg. If severe, it can lead to amputation. Hope she recovers without incident.

https://www.webmd.com/pain-managemen...ses-treatments

Thank you for the heads up. She has a doctor appointment on Tuesday for this and another issue. She does seem slightly better if she keeps it wrapped. Pain is worse late in the day though.